TOMS RIVER – Ten years later, authorities have identified the individuals responsible for the murder of a young man in Toms River.
Maurice Cole, 36, and Jerron Evans, 41, both of Lakewood, have been charged with Murder in connection with the death of Rondell Proctor, 22, of Arkansas, which occurred on May 27, 2010.
On that day around 12:45 a.m., officers responded to Winteringham Village Apartments located at Route 166 in Toms River regarding a shooting. Police found Proctor with several gunshot wounds to the torso as well as a gunshot wound to the face. He was transported to Community Medical Center, where he was pronounced deceased, officials said.
The case then went cold for several years. However, continued investigation as well as testing of evidential items unavailable at the time of the original investigation resulted in Cole and Evans being charged.
On December 3, Cole and Evans were taken into custody without incident. They were transported to the Ocean County Jail, where they are presently lodged pending a detention hearing.
Ocean County First Assistant Prosecutor Michael T. Nolan, Jr., acknowledged the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Gangs/Intelligence/Homeland Security Squad, Toms River Police, Lakewood Police, Brick Police, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, Ocean County Regional SWAT Team, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Osceola County (Florida) Sheriff’s Department, and Kissimmee (Florida) Police Department, for their very thorough, combined and collective assistance in connection with this investigation.
The charges referenced above are merely accusations and the press and public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
